All Rev'd Up

Did you know that Juneteenth is the longest-celebrated Black holiday, although it wasn't nationalized until 2020 – when George Floyd was killed? In this episode, The Revs discuss what's changed over the last four years, the holiday's roots, reparations, and more.

Tupac and Biggie. Lil' Kim and Nicki Minaj. Now Drake and ...what seems like everyone. Kendrick Lamar is the latest rapper to go bar for bar with Mr. OVO and fans are wondering: is it over? Is this the rap battle of rap battles? Are they promoting violence? The Revs answer this and more in this week's episode.

As Caitlin Clark , Angel Reeves, Kamilla Cardoso, and so many others' names have been buzzing for their outstanding college seasons and transitions into the WNBA, social media is saying that women's basketball is going to 'take off.' The Revs challenge this revelation to some as a relief to others, as women's college and professional basketball has been on the radar of basketball fans for years. Will 2024 set the precedent for deserved recognition, pay and attention for women in this sports and those to come?

In the wake of Beyoncé's Act II, "Cowboy Carter," music fans across the globe brought up an argument that isn't new to music: if Black artists belong in the country genre. With social media, news outlets and day-to-day conversations in an uproar on both sides of the debate, The Revs chime in on Country Music's Roots. 

DEI was all the rave amid BLM protests and racial tensions in America. As of the last year or so, DEI advances in colleges and Corporate America are slowly fading. Could this be the beginning to the end? The Revs discuss the issue and the solution.

As Black History Month has transitioned into Women’s History Month during this election year, The Revs discuss democracy from 1619 to 2024 to American rights and freedoms.

As Black History Month 2024 comes to a close, The Revs discuss the importance of Black people being paid their worth, those willing to pave their own pay due to gatekeeping and who the Black gatekeepers are.

The Revs reflect on where they were when hip hop started, how the genre impacted them, and how it’s evolved since 1973.

As the highest court of the land has reversed the legislation that once protected and allowed equal and fair consideration of groups historically discriminated against in the college admissions process, The Revs reflect on their college journeys and how this decision will affect generations to come.

Established as a federal holiday in 2021 – 156 years after the initial issuance of the freedom of Black people in America, attempting to celebrate Juneteenth in 2023 still comes with roadblocks. With critical race theory being banned in schools, complaints of the holiday not being united, lack of teaching of Juneteenth in schools, The Revs ask, “how do we still celebrate Juneteenth?”

After the New York Subway murder of Jordan Neely, his attacker claimed that he was being a Good Samaritan, as he felt like his life – and the lives of other riders – was in danger. The Revs discuss their thoughts on the incident, and what they think should happen next.

In light of the shooting of Kansas City teen, Ralph Yarl, The Revs discuss the issues and fears of Black people continually being shot – and possibly losing their lives because they made a mistake. Tiredly and with frustration, they try to come to a conclusion and ask the repetitive question, “when is enough, enough?”

After expressing their dismay regarding gun control, two of the three members of the “Tennessee Three” were expelled from their roles in the state’s House of Representatives. Democratic lawmakers Justin Jones and Justin Pearson – both Black men – demanded stricter laws surrounding guns just six days after another mass shooting in America. The Revs discuss their views on the Representatives’ treatment, what democracy looks like in 2023, their projections for Tennessee and other states, and more.

It’s been three years since President Joe Biden was sworn into office with his right-hand woman, Kamala Harris as the Vice President: the first woman and Black person to serve in the role. Though being more than halfway through their term, some ask if Harris is capable of holding this position and other question why the question is even being raised, when Harris has proven herself to be more than qualified to serve in the nation’s second-highest office. As Women’s History Month comes to a close, The Revs weigh in on their thoughts on Harris’ job thus far – and their perception of her in the role – in the podcast’s Season 6 opener.

In a special episode for Black History Month, The Revs discuss “the embrace” from overall blackness to the recently unveiled artwork from Leslie Jones. How do you embrace?

Through another wave of the pandemic, racial unrest, political achievements and everything in between, The Revs discuss 2022 for Blacks in America as the year – and Season 5 of All Rev’d Up – come to a close.

As current Massachusetts residents, The Revs discuss their experiences, initial and current thoughts about the state of Boston with special guest, Boston’s Senior Advisor on Racial Justice in Equity and Inclusion, Lori Nelson.

Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday – the kick-off of the end-of-the-year holiday season – The Revs discuss the importance of being grateful, what they’re grateful for and what they’re looking forward to in this last part of the year.

The day after the 2022 U.S. Midterm Elections, The Revs discuss their political party preferences, thoughts on voting over the years, and most importantly: if they voted this year and their reasoning(s) behind the decision.

In a conversation with the Revs, All Rev’d Up producer, Kavontae Smalls discusses his work as a journalist, producer and social media manager, in addition to serving as a producer on All Rev’d Up.